Let your soul guide you!

Chelvatamby MANICCAVASAGAR

In the history of Hinduism in Sri Lanka, the 19th century was a significant period of constructional activities at an unprecedented scale. A large number of Hindu temples were restored in the Jaffna Pennisula, Trincomalee and in the District of Batticaloa. The most notable among the newly constructed temples was Sri Ponnampala Vaneswaram at Kotahena in Colombo.

Despite their diverse origins they were drawn together by religious sentiment and a deep attachment to traditional Hindu values. Those who were articulate and motivated with a deep sense of commitment to the cause of preserving and fostering Hindu culture assumed positions of leadership in mobilising support for the establishment of Hindu Institutions some of which have become exemplary, and among them Arunasalam Ponnambalam was the most outstanding pioneer.

Measures

His father-in-law, oomaraswamy Mudaliyar, who belonged to the first generation of Jaffna Tamils settled in Colombo. He was the first Tamil representative in the Legislative Council responsible for establishing two Hindu Temples in Colombo: the Kathiresan Temple at Gintupitiya and Muttuvinayakar Temple at Chetty Street.

Sri Ponnambala Mudaliyar who had a deep attachment to Saivism, the religion of his ancestors, found that there was no temple dedicated to Shiva in Colombo. He initiated measures for mobilising support for the establishment of such a temple and the response from the Merchant Community was most favourable. The leading merchants of the Chettiyar Community who were always in the forefront in extending generous support for promoting the cause of Hinduism, were a source of inspiration to him. A large sum of money was collected and from a portion of which a block of land at Sea Street, which was formerly the property of Captain John Foulstone, was bought on July 5, 1856.Soon, the construction work began after getting down architects from South India.

In 1857, the buildings which were of brick and in an advanced state of construction, were found to be extensive. An agreement in the form of indenture was made on October 11, 1857, spelling out the details of administration. The signatories to the agreement were Arunasalam Ponnampalam and several other Chettias. The temple and its properties were to be administered under the provisions of this agreement for a period of one hundred and ten years since its adoption.

In fact, the Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Mahotchava ceremony was commenced with the hoisting of the Flag on Monday April 30, 2009. The Chariot (Ther) festival will be held on April 7, commencing at 5.45 a.m. The Water cutting ceremony will be conducted on Wednesday 8, at 10 a.m.

The Trustees of Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Devasthanam have made elaborate arrangements for the success of this Mahotchavam.

God's grace

The Hindu Temples are expected to persuade their adherents on the art of removing the veil of attachment that cover their hearts. Thus the renowned poet Thiagarajah cried at the temple of Thirupathi. Remove the veil, remove the veil within me, the veil of pride and hate.

God is in our hearts like the lantern in the hand. If only we control our senses and our hearts and tread the path of virtue and devotion to the supreme being, we need nothing else.

If we are ever in doubt and without faith, like a vessel without a captain, we shall be tossed on the turbulent waters of life buffeted by the winds of fate and circumstances unable to stand the stresses and strains, hope deferred and desire unfulfilled. If we seek the God's grace, we shall succeed in keeping our senses in check.

In the Shivan Temple, the Lord Shiva as the supreme power, performs five fold functions namely creation, maintenance, destruction, purification and release. He is said to be performing these functions while dancing. In fact, these are considered as activities of the deities - Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheswara and Sadasiva. This cosmic activity is the central motive of the dance.

During the Chariot festival of Sri Ponnambalavanseswarar temple, the statue of Lord Shiva decorated and illuminated, is taken along the compound of the Temple followed by poojas and bhajans. The chariot is pulled by massive ropes by thousands of devotees wherein the rich and the poor alike mingle shoulder to shoulder in pulling the body politic of the Divine state.

In the tradition of Hindu literature, the Chariot represents our body which is yoked to four horses (the sense organs) wherein the individuals sits, dejected and despondent, driven by the intellect which, with the mind guide the horses. The journey of the Chariot is an emblem of the progress of life and the lesson is that throughout his life, one should control and guide the passions with the help of the soul. These passions are the driving force of life, but unstrained and unguided it will wreck a man's life.

As such, let us pray to Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar (Lord Shiva) to receive His Divine blessings for peace and prosperity to the whole of Sri Lanka.